The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-17

Notes" as fully the equal of the famous
English ANIMALS then published
praise indeed, coming from "Boz" The
history OF this notable periodical was
given in two interesting articles in The
UN1vERsALIsT last year, by Mrs. 81. Fl.
Robinson. The volume now in the
Woman's Exhibit was loaned by Mrs.
@. B. Sawyer, of this city. 1t is an inter-
esting relic.
THE old adage to the effect that
Falsehood will travel thousand miles
more or less while Truth is putting on it's
boots, is well exemplified in the case of
those alleged statistics, showing a de.
crease in the membership of the Uni
versalist church. The paragraph en-
bodying this statement has gone the
length and breadth of the country. It
now appears in a Columbus, O., paper
and correspondent asks us to nail it,
and stop its Notwithstanding propensity.
We can't do it. 1t is abroad and will
continue abroad until the lively para
graphers grow tired of repeating it. Any
statement OF decrease in either the men,
bership or active ministerial force of
the Universalist church is based upon
defective information. THAT is the most
gracious way to put IT'D In no year since
the beginning of the world to the present
time has the Universalist church had
more members, or more ministers active
ly engaged in the work of the church,
than in this present year of grace, 1887.
Ii the industrious photographers will en-
body this in an item and send it on the
rounds, they will help to mitigate the
trouble they have caused to the sensitive
in our Israel.
The following is from the Congrega-
tdondlist, (Boston,) of August 49,:
We heard the other day of certain minis
ter who, in talking on the Andover movement
said frankly, on being asked if there is not
danger that it may lead to Universalism,
wen, If man only has the right spirit, and
his heart seems to be set on Gods work, l
shall not be greatly concerned to find him a
Universalist.' This is what we have all along
feared and expected. The present theolog-
lcal divergence will not remain where it is.
The new views must go either backward or
forward. This only justifies the apprehen-
sion, which has been expressed hundreds of
times within the last year. but the justice of
which the friends of the New Departure have
denied.
How now would it be with the Congre.
gationalist if this mans case were re-
versed-if the supposed individual had
not the right spirit" and his heart was
set against Goods work." and yet was
sound in his theology? Would he have
the sympathy of the Congregationalist
in preference to the other man, who was
right>in these things and yet Univers-
alist? In other words, will our contem-
porary place the emphasis on the good
life, or the Orthodox theology? The first
is the position Of the minister who is crit
icsed in the above extract, and we fear the
latter is the position of the Congregation
alist.
Will OF GoD. In an old Univers-
alist periodical we find this ssntentious
little article on the will of God: zone Of
three things must be true. l. Either God
wills the salvation of all; or, 2. He wills
the salvation of part only; or, 8. He
has no will in relation to the salvation of
any man. l. To say he has no will in re-
lation to the salvation of any man, would
be to contradict the testimony of Nature
which declares design in all His works-
the adaptation OF means to definite end;
and also to contradict the express decla-
rations Of Scripture. This, then, cannot
be true. 2. To say He wills the salvation
of part only, is to say He is partial; but
He is not partial-therefor this PROPOSE
ton is not true. The Sd then only re-
mains, and this must be true. But the
Scriptures say He has made known the
mystery of His will, which he purposed
in himself-to gather together in one all
things in Christ They further testify,
that his counsel shall stand and he will
do all his pleasure
-"IT is lamentable FACT" writes a cor
respondent, shat the rigidly Orthodox as
the word goes, have in their desire to
give glory to God, forgotten to be just to
man. No less a church historian than
Neander intimates this, in his estimate
of st. Augustine's character, who estab-
lished and confirmed by his authority.
the burning of heretics." Yes, this is
one of the charges against orthodoxy
which can be sustained by myriads of
instances. Orthodoxy belittles man from
the beginning of his creation, scorns his
humanity all the way through, and final
ly damns him endlessly, as a tribute to
the Creators glory. What God this is
to present to mankind for faith and
obediencel A being who accepts the
constant degradation and final damna-
ton of his children, and who is pleased
with the offering! No wonder there are
infdels in the world with such doctrines